Any one else want to weigh in on the choosing for prizes? If no one objects, then please, send me 2-3 suggestions from HamiltonBooks. I'll give people who make a suggestion an extra entry into the prize selection as well as thanks. You can send suggestions to my inbox or post them here.

Depending on how many suggestions I get, I'll narrow them down myself or post a voting thread to pick the top ones.

Any one else want to weigh in on the choosing for prizes? If no one objects, then please, send me 2-3 suggestions from HamiltonBooks. I'll give people who make a suggestion an extra entry into the prize selection as well as thanks. You can send suggestions to my inbox or post them here.

Depending on how many suggestions I get, I'll narrow them down myself or post a voting thread to pick the top ones.

Challenge starts tomorrow! Hope people are getting ready!

I sent some suggestions to your inbox last night. And I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night! This Challenge is my favorite one.

Any one else want to weigh in on the choosing for prizes? If no one objects, then please, send me 2-3 suggestions from HamiltonBooks. I'll give people who make a suggestion an extra entry into the prize selection as well as thanks. You can send suggestions to my inbox or post them here.

Depending on how many suggestions I get, I'll narrow them down myself or post a voting thread to pick the top ones.

Have we finalized the checklist yet? If not I have some more suggestions for the actor category. Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Samuel L Jackson, Benedict Cumberbatch Amy Adams, CHRIS Pine, Jeremy Renner.

It never even occurred to me to suggest some books, but those are great ideas Caligula.

I agree, books are a great addition. I always try to have at least one that relates to the challenge if at all possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellebelle

Have we finalized the checklist yet? If not I have some more suggestions for the actor category. Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Samuel L Jackson, Benedict Cumberbatch Amy Adams, CHRIS Pine, Jeremy Renner.

Nope, was going to do so tonight, but haven't gotten to it yet.

I'm on the fence with Jennifer Lawrence, between the Hunger Games and the X-Men franchises, she has quite a few movies that qualify, but only 2 real series. Any pros or cons for her?

I'm going to say no to Jeremy Renner as his only qualifying films are the Avengers series. I enjoy him as an actor, but I think he needs a few more Sci-Fi/Fantasy films to qualify.

I'll add Chris Pratt-he surprising has quite a few under his belt! Samuel L. Jackson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Amy Adams and Chris Pine can be added as well.

I'll add them tonight, still in the middle of something and I kind of want to rework the list a bit so it's easier to find names and figure out a few to remove just so it's not huge.

I'll say that if no one has anymore additions or concerns, the list will be finalized at midnight tonight Central time.

If I wanted to use Lord Of The Dance, would that be a fantasy story? Or would that be a better use for a Wild Card?

Use the Wild Card. I've not watched it, just took a look at the profile on IMBd.com. It looks like there is some sort of story they tell through dance, and as long as it's fantasy/sci-fi themed, feel free to wild card it. I think it'd be a stretch to really consider it as a full sci-fi/fantasy film, though.

OK, it's official, the checklist is finalized for this year. I added those new actors to the list and took some out. The list was over 50 people long without removing any, so thought it was getting a bit too unwieldy.

I've updated the checklist on the List and Discussion thread, but here is also a copy:

Spoiler:

*Watching enough shorts or TV to count as one entry, you can use that one entry as a check on the checklist, as long as each of them count for whatever you're checking. You can mix and match what you've seen to make a check, they all don't have to be grouped together as a single entry on your watch list.

Watch films in at least two languages other than English.
--- First language -
--- Second language -

Watch a film in 12 of the following:
--- Watch a MST3K/Rifftrax/Cinematic Titanic/Hosted version of a sci-fi/fantasy film -
--- Watch a film featuring laser blasters -
--- Watch a film made on a low budget (ex. Corman or Castle movie) -
--- Watch a film based on a novel -
--- Watch a film which was nominated for a Hugo or Saturn Award-
--- Watch a Documentary Feature -
--- Watch a Film From the Criterion Collection (Doesn't have to be Criterion Version) -
--- Watch a film with commentary -
--- Watch a film and at least two sequels -
--- Watch a film that takes place underneath the Earth -
--- Watch a film that takes place in space -
--- Watch a film that takes place on or under the sea -
--- Watch an animated film -
--- Watch a film with special effects by Ray Harryhausen -
--- Watch a film that takes place in the "future" but the year has already come and gone -
--- Watch a film and its remake/reboot

He's dead, Jim. Watch 6 out of the following:
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Gene Roddenberry -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Ray Bradbury -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Phillip K. Dick -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Edgar Rice Burroughs -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Jules Verne -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late HP Lovecraft -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Richard Matheson -
--- Watch a film starring Christopher Lee -
--- Watch a film starring Alan Rickman -
--- Watch a film starring Anton Yelchin -
--- Watch a film starring Kenny Baker -
--- Watch a film starring Bill Paxton -
--- Watch a film starring John Hurt -

Use the Wild Card. I've not watched it, just took a look at the profile on IMBd.com. It looks like there is some sort of story they tell through dance, and as long as it's fantasy/sci-fi themed, feel free to wild card it. I think it'd be a stretch to really consider it as a full sci-fi/fantasy film, though.

OK, it's official, the checklist is finalized for this year. I added those new actors to the list and took some out. The list was over 50 people long without removing any, so thought it was getting a bit too unwieldy.

I've updated the checklist on the List and Discussion thread, but here is also a copy:

Spoiler:

*Watching enough shorts or TV to count as one entry, you can use that one entry as a check on the checklist, as long as each of them count for whatever you're checking. You can mix and match what you've seen to make a check, they all don't have to be grouped together as a single entry on your watch list.

Watch films in at least two languages other than English.
--- First language -
--- Second language -

Watch a film in 12 of the following:
--- Watch a MST3K/Rifftrax/Cinematic Titanic/Hosted version of a sci-fi/fantasy film -
--- Watch a film featuring laser blasters -
--- Watch a film made on a low budget (ex. Corman or Castle movie) -
--- Watch a film based on a novel -
--- Watch a film which was nominated for a Hugo or Saturn Award-
--- Watch a Documentary Feature -
--- Watch a Film From the Criterion Collection (Doesn't have to be Criterion Version) -
--- Watch a film with commentary -
--- Watch a film and at least two sequels -
--- Watch a film that takes place underneath the Earth -
--- Watch a film that takes place in space -
--- Watch a film that takes place on or under the sea -
--- Watch an animated film -
--- Watch a film with special effects by Ray Harryhausen -
--- Watch a film that takes place in the "future" but the year has already come and gone -
--- Watch a film and its remake/reboot

He's dead, Jim. Watch 6 out of the following:
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Gene Roddenberry -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Ray Bradbury -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Phillip K. Dick -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Edgar Rice Burroughs -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Jules Verne -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late HP Lovecraft -
--- Written by/inspired by/or related in some way to the late Richard Matheson -
--- Watch a film starring Christopher Lee -
--- Watch a film starring Alan Rickman -
--- Watch a film starring Anton Yelchin -
--- Watch a film starring Kenny Baker -
--- Watch a film starring Bill Paxton -
--- Watch a film starring John Hurt -

I was considering something "Historical" for tonight but don't know... I think the only thing I have that double qualifies is Quantum Leap and, while I've only finished S1, don't really want to start with a TV episode...

I get off today at noon (and don't go back to work until the 5th!) so I'll get a bit more organized than usual... maybe...

I was thinking of the Wild Card option myself, but I wanted to make sure.

Never hurts to ask!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobO'Link

I was considering something "Historical" for tonight but don't know... I think the only thing I have that double qualifies is Quantum Leap and, while I've only finished S1, don't really want to start with a TV episode...

I get off today at noon (and don't go back to work until the 5th!) so I'll get a bit more organized than usual... maybe...

Sounds like you'll be able to get some good watch time in! For the crossover-would something like Back to the Future 1 and 3 work? That challenge is one that I'm not really familiar with the rules of. I'd think something like Troy might work too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadokitty

I haven't decided what I want to start with yet. Maybe something for double credit, but then, maybe not. All I know is I can't wait till tonight. I'm counting the hours.

Not quite counting the hours here, but I am looking forward to starting! Not sure what I'll start with, but I'll figure it out tonight when I get home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobO'Link

Me too. I like the Horror one but this one is my favorite!

Mine too, though next month during Animation, I'll say it's that one!

Don't forget, I'm still taking options for the prizes this month from HamiltonBooks! You get an extra entry into the prize draw!

I decided to look for a double credit entry to kick off my Challenge, so went with an episode of Ancient Aliens, about sacred rituals, on History Channel On Demand. I like the fact that almost the entire series is available on demand.

I was browsing the On Demand library of Direct TV Now, under the Sci-fi shows, and thought why not check out Van Helsing. It's too soon to make a judgment call yet, but the first episode showed promise.

i had to do some three stooges this am. sometimes the urge to see slapstick is too great to overcome

Starting the day with a Three Stooges short or three is never a bad thing!

I started last night with The Colossus of New York. I'd have sworn I've seen this before (when I was a kid) but none of it felt familiar. That was followed by some Quantum Leap for double credit. I went with the rest of S2D1 of Quantum Leap this morning and am about to watch another movie. Don't know just what yet.

That "organization" I'd planned for yesterday afternoon pretty much went out the window (I ripped more CDs for the car instead - I recently had to purchase a new car and it came with a MP3 player, no CD option, forcing me to finally digitize everything, over 1500 discs, so it's taking quite a bit of my time). I did pull some of the SF/Fantasy films out of my unopened piles yesterday evening but didn't get everything so that'll be something to do later today. I think I want to put them in a spreadsheet to make selection somewhat easier and I really need to do that anyway with all new purchases.

Most of my disc purchases this past year have been BR upgrade copies of favorite films, with a few truly new ones thrown in for good measure. That really makes it hard to select what to watch next. I think I'm going for something truly new but then will go for an old favorite at the last second.

After years of doing this challenge, I finally found a film that is not listed on IMDB or AllMovie. I watched Destination: Planet Negro!, a sci-fi space parody by a film professor friend of mine, Kevin Willmott. He also co-wrote Chi-raq with Spike Lee. I liked the elements of Lost in Space and 50's sci-fi B-movies, as well as its social commentary. I listed it as a wildcard.

After years of doing this challenge, I finally found a film that is not listed on IMDB or AllMovie. I watched Destination: Planet Negro!, a sci-fi space parody by a film professor friend of mine, Kevin Willmott. He also co-wrote Chi-raq with Spike Lee. I liked the elements of Lost in Space and 50's sci-fi B-movies, as well as its social commentary. I listed it as a wildcard.

I love Willmott's work and the film is listed on imdb. I've wanted to see this film for some time and now I know it's available on Amazon Prime. Thanks for the heads up, I'll watch it for this challenge.

download dvdcollector software. its free and makes live easy. you can export your list to excel and sort by title, genre , etc

How have I never heard of this one? I use a product called EMDB, also free, which is quite good, and has those features too, but it uses IMDB for importing information and can be a bit sluggish doing so. I'll check dvdcollector out.

EMDB has a option to flag "seen" films but I generally don't catalog until I've actually watched the movie. That's caused me to purchase duplicates (when I purchase from a vendor other than Amazon and forget) or just overlook something in the unopened piles that qualifies for a challenge - that I purchased specifically for a challenge - that I truly wanted to watch the year I made the purchase.

I was considering a spreadsheet as it'll load faster than the database and be easier to maintain quickly. Yeah, it's double work but not that much. I really need to just suck it up and put everything in as soon as it arrives. I do my CDs that way, and have for decades (I still have the card catalog for my albums - something I learned the value of when I worked in radio - the CD database has been converted several times as I upgraded computers and changed OSes), so you'd think I'd do the same thing for movies.

**EDIT**
Well... I downloaded and installed DVD Collector. So far I'm not too impressed with its lookup capabilities. I tried a half dozen titles, new to old, and not a single one was in their database, either by title or UPC. That means *lots* of extra work. EMDB imports everything for any movie that's listed on IMDB and can bring in their cover art, or one from 3 other sources, as well, or it can be one of your choosing via copy/paste or a local file. I'm going to play around with it a bit more later but I'm thinking I'll stick with EMDB. I may export my EMDB database for import to see how it displays stuff overall.

I started off the challenge by watching Escape from New York. Admittedly not a favorite of mine, but it has grown on me. I like to watch it though, as it does cover several checks from the list, especially the film that takes place in a future that has already passed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobO'Link

I think I want to put them in a spreadsheet to make selection somewhat easier and I really need to do that anyway with all new purchases.

I'm pretty positive you've heard of DVD Profiler before, but while it is a paid product, it's a one time fee for lifetime upgrades. It has the ability to help chose something to watch by a lot of categories including last watched, length, genres, directors...and a lot of other choices, too.

There is also an app you can buy as well so you can take it with you to avoid duplicates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobO'Link

I was considering a spreadsheet as it'll load faster than the database and be easier to maintain quickly. Yeah, it's double work but not that much. I really need to just suck it up and put everything in as soon as it arrives.

I have about 1300 entries in Profiler and it only takes a few seconds to open. I know some people have 5-10000 entries and while it does take longer the more you have, it doesn't seem to be too long.

Have you thought about getting a scanner? I bought a cheap cue cat one several years ago off ebay and it works great. (looks like they are still 6-10 bucks) Plug and scan. If I remember correctly, you could set it up to scan into a spreadsheet as well as cataloging software (I use it for Book Collector (collectorz.com) as well).